For the longest time, mental health conversations were considered taboo topics in India. Thanks to films like Dear Zindagi, Tamasha, and Chhichhore – and of course to the youth of this nation, Millennials and Zillennials – these behind-closed-door discussions are becoming mainstream. Be they kids at school or adults in the corporate world, everyone is under more stress. And stress brings with it a whole whoopie can of other mental health conditions. So, let’s dive into the ABCs of Gen Z and millennials’ mental health game… Because adulting is more than about acing interviews and paying bills; it also involves effective mental health care.
Breaking the Silence: A Guide to Gen Z Mental Health Activities, Adulting, and Taking Control
Millennials and Gen Z have broken the stigma surrounding these mental health conditions:
Anxiety – How to Navigate the Mind Maze
A panic attack right before a life-changing presentation, that habit of overthinking texts and sweating the little stuff – we’ve all experienced this. This is anxiety in a nutshell, and most Gen-Z and millennial adults live with it as if it were a cohabitant in their homes. But the good news is that these discussions are now in the open, as Gen Z and millennials are unafraid to talk about their anxiety honestly and without any judgement. They’ve taught us the valuable lesson that sometimes, in life, it is okay to not be okay.
Bipolar Disorder: Learning to Embrace the Highs and Lows
Bipolar disorder was such a stigma that it was deemed a seriously grave mental disorder that resulted in patients being But today, this stigma has been dismantled due to the millennial and Gen Z mental health awareness campaign that has made the world realise that bipolar disorder, in its simplest form, can be likened to sudden mood swings, which are a part of the human experience. According to them, if a rainbow can have a spectrum of vibrant colours, why should mental health be classified in black and white alone?
Depression: Shedding Light On a Dark Condition
Depression does not discriminate. You could be rich or poor, male, female, transgender, cisgender, gender neutral, or binary – however you identify. It can spring up upon you out of nowhere. Millennials and Gen Z are raising their hands and speaking about this dark mental health condition openly. They have made the world realise that sometimes getting out of bed can feel like hiking a mountain and that it is not that uncommon to experience this sensation. In doing so, they are lifting the veil on depression and proving that there’s strength in showing vulnerability.
| Did You Know: Millennials and Gen Z are rewriting the rules on mental health and carving a space for conversations to flow freely |
Eating Disorders: Redefining Beauty Standards
Let’s face it, we’re a broken, superficial society. We see people as beautiful, average, and ugly based on their colour and body type. But Gen Z and millennials are not buying into this narrative of narrow beauty standards. They’re embracing the discussions surrounding eating disorders while celebrating the diverse body types. In doing so, they are fostering a self-love culture, making the world realise that beauty comes in various forms, shapes, and sizes, and being beautiful is not about how you look in the mirror but how you feel on the inside.
OCD: Embracing the Quirks
How often have you heard people say that they have OCD? Well, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is no punchline to claim. If you were coping with it, you’d realise that it is not just a quirky condition. For many millennials and Gen Z adults, OCD is a real struggle that makes them feel less than and incredibly self-conscious. Wanting things a certain way or compulsively acting in a specific manner are behaviours that just crack the surface of a deep, in-built condition that impacts one’s quality of life. But at least we are talking about OCD more seriously, which is worth something.
PTSD: Rewriting Trauma Stories
You may think they’re too young to experience it, but Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is very real for people who’ve experienced terrifying events at any stage of their lives. Children who experience abuse, neglect, and/or trauma often live with PTSD and don’t realize it well until they reach adulthood. More and more millennials and Gen Z adults are breaking their silence on their trauma and rewriting their stories with courage and resilience. They’ve taught the world that it is okay to get help, to heal, and to forge a path not bound by their past.
Schizophrenia: Demystifying the Mind
The world may look at schizophrenia as a taboo, but not Gen Z and millennials. They reckon that our mind is more complex than we realise. Gen Z and millennial mental health awareness programmes largely focus on demystifying the complexities of the human mind while embracing people navigating this tough, incredibly harsh mental health condition. These mature young adults are standing up against the stigma associated with schizophrenia and helping the world understand that one’s mental health conditions do not define their worth.
| Fun Fact: Gen Z and Millennials have created more mental health awareness than any other generation and turned conversations into power moves. |
Living the Millennial and Gen Z Life
Sometimes, life for millennials and millennials feels like a rollercoaster ride on which they are stuck in a never-ending loop. While the world may criticise them, they’ve flipped the narrative on mental health on its head. They’re acknowledging their mental health struggles and paving the way for newer generations to be unafraid to seek help. If this is not adulting – we don’t know what is!
Insuring Mental Health – Is It Really A Thing?
Since mental health conversations are now a part of everyone’s living rooms, why should insurers hide in the alley? Under IRDAI regulations, you can get health insurance plans covering mental health treatments. Just read the policy terms to know the exact scope of coverage. So, go ahead, do the #Adulting thing and do right by your mental health.
FAQs
Why is Gen Z more open about mental health than previous generations?
Gen Z grew up in a world where talking about mental health isn’t treated as something shameful or secret. Schools, campaigns and online conversations made these topics familiar early on. Social media also plays a huge role—they see real people sharing their struggles, successes and therapy journeys. That visibility creates a sense of acceptance. For Gen Z, reaching out for help is seen as taking control, not as weakness, which sets them apart from Millennials or Gen X who didn’t always have the same open environment.
What are the most common mental-health issues faced by Gen Z?
Anxiety and depression are the most widely reported, but they aren’t the only ones. Many young people also deal with OCD, PTSD, eating disorders and bipolar disorder. Burnout, academic stress and job uncertainty add extra pressure, and social-media comparison often makes these feelings worse. If any of these symptoms affect daily life, it’s important to talk to a mental-health professional rather than trying to handle everything alone.
How can someone support a Gen Z individual dealing with mental-health challenges?
Start by giving them a space to talk. Don’t jump to conclusions or offer quick fixes. Tell them their feelings aren’t exaggerated or “attention seeking”. Encourage them to seek professional help if needed and offer practical support – sit with them while they book an appointment or accompany them to a session. Small acts of support can make the process less overwhelming.
Can early conversations about mental health prevent long-term issues?
Yes. Talking about mental health early helps people recognise symptoms before they turn into something harder to manage. Since most mental-health conditions begin in adolescence or early adulthood, early awareness can make a huge difference. It encourages healthier habits, quicker intervention and better coping strategies that last into adulthood.
How does health insurance support mental-health treatment?
In India, insurers have to treat mental health conditions the same way they treat physical illnesses. So many health plans now cover psychiatric consultations, therapy sessions and hospitalisation related to mental health. The extent of coverage varies from plan to plan so read your policy carefully to see what’s covered, what needs prior approval and if there are any waiting periods.
